SC seeks progress report on case against army men

ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court Wednesday ordered the Chief Secretary Balochistan to submit outcome of the meeting regarding proceedings against the army officers allegedly involved in enforced disappearance of people in Balochistan in the first week of April.The apex court on 8th March in view of the DIG CID report had sought reply from the Balochistan government that whether it wanted to proceed against the army officials, allegedly involved in enforced disappearance, under Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) or Army Act 1952. DIG CID Feroze Shah in March last year had submitted a report in the Supreme Court, nominating army men including two Lt Colonels, six majors and two subedars in the Balochistan missing persons cases.A two-judge bench comprising Justice Amir Hani Muslim and Justice Mushir Alam, hearing law and order situation in Balochistan case, directed Advocate General Punjab to appear on the next hearing and explain why long time was required for finalizing the DNA report of the bodies found from a mass grave in Khuzdar district.Earlier, during the proceedings, Home Secretary Balochistan Asad Gilani informed the court that 14 samples regarding dead bodies had been sent to Punjab Forensic Science Agency, Lahore, that have to be matched, adding this process would take at least 4 to 5 months.Justice Hani remarked it means the bodies would not be buried till the finalisation of DNA report. The home secretary responded that two bodies have been identified and others would be handed over after their identification. The court then inquired from Advocate General Balochistan Nizamud Din about the meeting between the provincial chief secretary, advocate general and Irfan Qadir, council for FC. The AG Balochistan said a meeting was fixed, but the Prime Minister called the chief secretary in Islamabad, therefore, it could not be held. The advocate general further told that later the secretary had flown to USA and he was still there. The chief secretary will likely to return by the end of this month, he said.Irfan Qadir informed the bench that though the meeting was not on referring the cases of army officer, however, the chief secretary had talked to him on phone regarding the matter. Justice Hani expressing annoyance said, how the meeting could be held on phone.The chief secretary Balochistan was directed to hold meeting on his return from USA and submit its outcome by 1st week of April.The hearing was adjourned for two weeks.